The cost of manufacturing cement depends on the input cost of fuel. Pet coke, as a fuel, had to some extent answered this issue over the last couple of years. But the recent decision to review use of pet coke by the country's apex court is likely to be a major blow to the use of this commodity.

We are buying the world's dirtiest fuel as if we have no worries of air pollution. This needs to change, says Sunita Narain, Director General of Centre for Science and Environment and Editor of Down To Earth magazine.

Though there are a few issues in processing pet coke as a fuel for the cement industry, these problems can be effectively tackled by the application of modern technology, and harmful emissions can be kept within permissible limits, says Dr JD Bapat, an Independent Cement Manufacturing and Concrete Professional.

The delivery of goods cannot be completed without the involvement of a transport agency, and cement is no exception. In the cement business, 35 per cent cost is attributed to distribution, out of which around 15 per cent is towards transportation alone.

Cheques are used in almost all transactions such as re-payment of loan, payment of salary, bills, fees, and also in buying goods. A vast majority of cheques are processed and cleared by banks on a daily basis. Cheques are issued for the reason of securing proof of payment.

Ambuja Cements, a leading cement producer with pan-India presence and strong retail focus, had to face the challenges posed by demonetisation. However, with a proactive approach, the company could turn the tide.

Slag is a byproduct from steel plants, which is obtained from blast furnaces, during the extraction of iron from iron ore. The process of granulating of the slag involves cooling of molten slag through high-pressure water jets. This rapidly quenches the slag and forms granular particles.

Aggregate, which makes up 70 per cent of the concrete volume, is one of the main constituent materials of concrete. Thanks to relentless construction activity, naturally occurring materials like aggregate and sand are depleting very fast.